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E-Newsletter - May 9, 2008
WJHS
Takes First At Conference Track Meet
The Columbia High School boys track team finished in third place May 8 in the Cahokia Conference meet. Top CHS players were Alex Starek, shot put; Joe Streepy, 110 meter high hurdles; and Matt Clyde, 1,600 meter run. The Eagles compete today in the Nashville Sectional Tournament.
Missouri
Drowning Victim Had Local Ties Keith Fietsam, the 27-year-old man who is believed to have drowned May 6 in the Missouri River, was a native of Millstadt who played baseball for the Valmeyer Lakers and Millstadt VFW. Fietsam and Leo Geringer were attempting to use a canoe to navigate the river to turkey hunt on Howell Island in Wildwood, Mo. The Missouri State Water Patrol reports the canoe tipped over at 4:45 a.m. in a strong current when the hunters got too close to a low head dam. Both occupants were not wearing life jackets. Gering was able to swim to shore. He last saw Fietsam trying to swim to shore about 100 yards downstream from the dam. Gering drove to a nearby gas station to contact emergency personnel, but Fietsam has yet to be recovered. Rescue efforts continue, but have been curtailed. Fietsam grew up in Millstadt and graduated from Belleville West High School in 1999. He and his wife, Katie, lived in Winfield, Mo. He was also an avid baseball player, said Paul Baillargeon of Millstadt, who coached Fietsam from grade school through his high school years. “He was a really good catcher who loved the game,” said Baillargeon. After high school, Fietsam played for both the Valmeyer Lakers and Millstadt VFW of the Mon-Clair Baseball League. When his playing days were over, he served as an assistant baseball coach for the Lindenwood University JV team and was currently the head coach of the Lutheran South High School JV team in Affton, Mo. The team currently has a record of 15-1 and has dedicated their remainder of the season to their coach. “Fietsam and his teammates who grew up playing ball in Millstadt were all amazing kids who were very knowledgeable about baseball. Five of the players went on to be coaches in various levels of the game,” Baillargeon added. “He was a really great player and very dedicated to the team,” said Cris “Alfie” Landgraf, who coached Fietsam when he played for the Lakers in 2000 and 2001. “It was very sad to hear about his hunting accident.”
Senior
Citizens Gather In Columbia
Governor Releases Funds For Local Extension And SWCD Offices The local offices of the Illinois Soil and Water Conservation District and the University of Illinois Extension received good news earlier this week. Governor Rod Blagojevich announced he will release their operating funds he previously threatened to hold. The SWCD will receive $7 million and the extension offices will have $18 million transferred into their accounts to pay for the 2008 fiscal year’s programs and operating expenses. Offices throughout the state of Illinois were in danger of closing June 30 if the money was not released by the governor. “We are very optimist about receiving our funds,” said Pam Jacobs, director of the extension office in Monroe County. “We hope the funds will be available as promised.” State Senator Dave Luechtefeld (R-Okawville) said he is thankful for the hard work by downstate lawmakers. “It’s a relief to realize that this funding will finally be released for the SWCDs and the U of I Extension offices,” Luechtefeld said. “The length of time it took to release the funding was to the detriment of SWCDs and extension offices across the state. This money is vital for them to sustain themselves and the services they provide to Illinois’ environment, farmers and families.” Luechtefeld said legislators will continue to work to convince the governor’s administration to release the $6 million in funding for the Conservation Practices Program, AgraAbility and other agriculture programs.
Materials Requested For Columbia’s 150th Celebration Current and former residents of Columbia are being asked to submit materials for a commemorative book being compiled in conjunction with the celebration of Columbia’s 150th anniversary in 2009. The Celebration 2009 Committee seeks photographs, documents and written recollections for possible inclusion in the book. Items sought may be from any time in Columbia’s history up to the present. Of particular interest are photos and recollections from events of historical significance. Written descriptions and photographs from everyday life from all time periods will also be considered. Submitted photographs and documents will be returned, but must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. The mailing address is: Celebration 2009 Committee, P.O. Box 467, Columbia, IL, 62236. Materials may also be submitted electronically to the email address: celebration2009@htc.net. More information is available by contacting John Conrad at 618-281-8000 or e-mailing him at conrad@htc.net. Columbia will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a series of events and activities throughout 2009.
Humane
Society of Monroe County’s Pet of the Week
The Prairie du Rocher Chamber of Commerce organized and met for the first time Thursday night at the American Legion Hall. Waterloo Chamber Executive Director Debbie Ruggeri was in attendance to welcome them and provide guidance.
Monroe County Ambulance Service will celebrate National EMS week May 18 with an open house. It will be 12 noon to 3 p.m. at the ambulance garage at 901 Illinois Avenue in Waterloo. There will be a tour of the facility and vehicles, car seat check point and bicycle helmet fitting. In addition, ARCH Air Medical will display a helicopter. Food will be provided
Bobbie Huddleston of Waterloo called in today to the Frank O. Pinion radio show on 550 AM KTRS. Huddleston reported he was pulled over on the side of the highway in Humboldt, Tenn., to report 550 AM was coming in loud and clear. Humboldt is the hometown of Pinion (aka John Craddock). The Craddock family moved to Waterloo in the 1960s and John graduated from Waterloo High School. Huddleston was heading to Cherokee, Ala. to fish with his brothers Robert Huddleston and Albert Howard.
Recent Obituaries Ronald Hinton, 57, of Columbia, died May 9, 2008 at his residence. He was born Nov. 13, 1950 in Sparta, the son of the late Ralph Hinton and Dorothy, nee Poston, Hinton. In 1969 he married Margaret (Smolley) Hinton in Nashville, Ill. He was employed by Columbia Unit #4 School District. In addition to his parents and wife, he is survived by daughters Marla (Danny) Weihl and Tammi (Jim) Paxton, both of Columbia; and grandchildren Adam Weihl, Samantha Paxton and Karli Paxton; along with other relatives and friends. Visitation is Monday, May 12, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. A memorial service will follow at Lawlors with Fr. Carl Scherrer and Pastor Jon Peters officiating. Memorials may be made to BJC Hospice in Alton.
Calendar of Events
Friday
Saturday Valmeyer High School Alumni Banquet
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